its quite off-putting to watch the bowlers spit on and polish their balls. the entire fielding side appear to take a share in this activity – taking turns to add their spit to the leather and rub it in. it’s probably a superstitious thing.
apparently, one needs to wet one side of a ball and shine it up for it to swerve inwards (or outwards) to hit the stumps behind the batsman’s leg.
I propose that a dog could be utilised for this; as mascot/ ball salivator. he/she could sit obediently beside the umpire while the balls are bowled and then trained to scamper up to the bowler to give the ball a good licking. obviously the dog would be trained not to assist with fielding.-- po, Aug 26 2005 info - cricket balls http://www.answers....opic/cricket-ball-2 [po, Aug 26 2005] http://www.asiahome...chair_Singapore.jpg [calum, Aug 26 2005] Fido warming up http://gd.tuwien.ac...ages/df1987-271.gif [Shz, Aug 26 2005] Re training: perhaps clamp the dog in the link.-- calum, Aug 26 2005 Oh, the things you learn here at the Bakery. I had thought cricket and baseball had similar rules for spit ball polish; I was wrong.-- Coal Drag, Aug 26 2005 Should this be 'swing it with Fido' or even 'reverse swing it with Fido'. Or is that something different?-- st3f, Aug 26 2005 A Saint Bernard would be perfect.-- Zimmy, Aug 26 2005 I'm fascinated that there are people who spit on and polish their balls.
What is spin bowling?-- sleeka, Aug 26 2005 Think slider or curveball, then remember that in cricket the ball usually bounces before the batsman hits it.-- DrCurry, Aug 26 2005 Matthew Hoggard's dog was there today funnily enough.-- po, Aug 26 2005 oops. I deleted gnome! so sorry mate...
he said it wasn't his dog but the same haircut or something - I was going to retort that the commentator said it was his dog.
once again, so sorry, gt. :(
I can't believe I did that - there's a first!-- po, Aug 26 2005 [DrCurry] I see. We're still pretty confused by cricket here in the States.-- sleeka, Aug 26 2005 You can borrow Sammo if you like. That way you could have a wet 'n slobbery side.-- wagster, Aug 26 2005 damn it - I did it again. I need glasses. sorry, RS. please post that again!-- po, Aug 27 2005 Automatic penaty for roughing the bowl ... show of hand is waived.-- reensure, Aug 27 2005 Just to clarify, Sammo is a dog.-- wagster, Aug 27 2005 after the 'Wimbledon' flick, I can't wait for the forthcoming sequel 'The Ashes' a love story with sordid bits / ball tampering investigated by a forensic team / bestiality (oh sorry, it was just his haircut!) / tears, laughter, fall-about comedy, tantrums and YES! success at last for the good guys... England beat the Aussies
fingers crossed, I have not put the mockers on the remaining two tests.-- po, Aug 27 2005 They could even make a cute little dog cricketer outfit for it. OOOh, just imagine, a little hat, and a litter v-necked sweater!!! Ooh, I'd watch the entire match just to see the little mite running around!
- By the way, I love the link [Shz]-- chocolateraindrops, Aug 27 2005 Yes!!!!!
sorry, getting a bit excited here...-- po, Aug 28 2005 Dogs - hmmm, fuckin useless.-- The Kat, Aug 29 2005 What if the dog had high standards and refused to slobber on the foreign object? AS IF you could find such a dog. [+]-- sophocles, Aug 29 2005 halfbakery